Heal House Vitiligo Research 31 · Original Article
Can vitiligo that does not respond to excimer laser be filled with color by tattooing?
Micropigmentation for vitiligo on light to moderately colored skin: Updated evidence from a clinical and animal study.
In short
Micro-tattooing (medical tattooing) was performed for vitiligo that did not improve with excimer laser or phototherapy. In 8 out of 10 sites, the color matched the surrounding skin well.
There are areas such as the lips, fingertips, and joints where color rarely returns. When excimer laser and phototherapy have all been tried and the area remains white, both you and I become frustrated. For these individuals, instead of treatment aimed at 'restoring color,' a method of 'filling in color' can be another option. So, I examined the method of applying a color similar to the surrounding skin to white spots using micropigmentation. We confirmed how helpful it can be for people with light to medium skin tones through clinical and animal studies.
Q1 What is micropigmentation and when is it used?
It is a method of making white spots less noticeable by applying pigment matched to the surrounding skin color in vitiligo where the chance of color returning is low. The principle is similar to the cosmetic tattooing you may know. However, it differs in that the color and depth are finely adjusted to suit the white spot. In this study, the procedure was performed on 25 lesions in 14 patients with vitiligo who had not improved with excimer laser and phototherapy. It can be a particularly realistic alternative for areas where color does not return well.
Q2 How effective is it?
In 8 out of 10 treated lesions, the color matched the surrounding skin very well. In 20 out of 25 lesions, the color was rated as 'excellent,' and it typically took 3 sessions to achieve this (range 1 to 5 sessions). The pain during the procedure was considerable but tolerable without anesthetic injections. The redness and swelling immediately after subsided within a few days. Overall, it was a treatment that could be received without significant burden.
Summary of Micropigmentation Treatment Results
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Target | 14 patients with light to medium skin tones (Fitzpatrick III to IV) with vitiligo · 25 lesions |
| Excellent color match | 80% (20 out of 25 lesions) |
| Number of treatments | Median 3 sessions (range 1 to 5) |
| Safety | Tolerable pain without anesthesia; redness and swelling resolved within a few days |
Q3 Are there any precautions or limitations?
Yes, there are several points that must be addressed. For a natural result, selecting the pigment, the depth of insertion, and the treatment site must be done carefully. Over time, if the surrounding skin color changes, a subtle difference with the tattoo color can occur. Therefore, it is better to view it as a complementary method rather than a perfect solution. Additionally, this study has limitations: a small number of subjects, no control group for comparison, and a short observation period. I honestly share this. Nevertheless, for those who have not responded to other treatments, it is a worthwhile option to consider.
Closing remarks
It would be ideal if all vitiligo could be restored to its original color, but in reality, there are areas where color never returns. Micropigmentation offers another path for such individuals to make white spots less noticeable, easing the burden in daily life. However, it is a treatment that requires careful selection of pigment and treatment site. It is advisable to decide together after fully discussing the expectations and limitations.
